World Cup Quarterfinal, Highlights: Mats Hummels Helps Germany to Record Fourth Straight Semifinal
Germany defeated France, thanks to an early Mats Hummels goal as they became the first team ever to reach a fourth successive World Cup semifinal. Catch highlights here.
Germany defeated France to book a semifinal spot in the FIFA World Cup. Catch all the highlights here. (Matchcentre)
23:25 IST: That's the final whistle and Germany have won 1-0. They become the first team ever to reach four successive World Cup semifinals and they now remain unbeaten in their last 16 internationals.
23:21 IST: Four minutes additional time. Can France draw level here?
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23:15 IST: France have lost only one game on Brazilian soil and they could be heading to their second defeat today. Less than three minutes of normal time remaining in the quarterfinal.
23:12 IST: Germany have made another crucial change, as they recall Ozil and send in Goetze with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
23:00 IST: Germany have not lost their last 15 internationals, winning 10 and drawing five. The way things stand now, it could well be their 11th win in 16 games.
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22:58 IST: Germany have replaced Klose with Schurrle in the 69th minute as Germany continue to lead France 1-0.
22:42 IST: Before today, the two teams have met 25 times, with France winning 11 and Germany eight. Six have ended in draws. Today, there has to be a result and with less than 30 minutes of normal time left, it is the Germans who lead.
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22:50 IST: Varane tried hard to draw level for France in the 60th minute but his header was cut off by Neuer, who has been in superb form today. Germany are still leading 1-0.
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22:44 IST: Sami Khedira commits a foul on a French player and is rewarded with a well-deserved yellow card. Germany have played well but also been a little too aggressive; they need to watch out for the referee, who has been unkind to any kind of wrongful tackle.
22:36 IST: Second half gets underway. Both teams have played very well so far and it's only a matter of chance that the French are still trailing. Anything could happen with some energetic strikers fighting for the ball.
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22:20 IST: After one additional minute, the whistle blows for half-time. Germany are leading France 1-0 and are looking the better team in the course of this quarterfinal.
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22:17 IST: Neuer is turning to be a German hero today as he makes another solid save against a rampaging Benzema. It could all come down to a showoff between these two modern footballing wonders.
22:07 IST: Valbuena almost drew level for France with a fantastic low shot but goalie Neuer made a spectacular save to keep Germany in the lead. The goalkeepers have been sensational so far this World Cup.
22:05 IST: This has been a quick-paced game so far; Germany have made some aggressive passes on the French post, who have done well and survived a little on sheer good fortune to not go further behind.
22:00 IST: Equally important, is to remember the firepower in France's disposal. Paul Pogba is turning out to be a stiff challenge even for the likes of Kroos and Schweinsteiger, who struggled to take the ball away from the Juventus player.
21:58 IST: Germany are completely on the offensive and they are putting relentless pressure on the French defence.
21:44 IST: GOAL! Germany are ahead in the 13th minute after Mats Hummels rose high and headed in a free kick from Toni Kroos. France are stunned; Germany, with their host of star strikers have taken an early lead.
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21:39 IST: In the seventh minute, Karim Benzema came close to scoring the opener for France but his shot is just wide off the post. Germany have a goal kick. It's still 0-0.
21:36 IST: Germany had early possession with the French defence coming under slight pressure. The Germans are playing for their fourth consecutive semifinal in the World Cup.\
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21:30 IST: National anthems done, Germany and France are ready for kickoff. Both sides take a minute to hold up a banner to say no to racism.
21:14 IST: Some German players have been down with flu but they will need to fight that and come out all guns blazing against a strong French side. Two European powerhouses will make for an exciting quarterfinal.
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Germany and France have been the traditional giants of international football for decades. Both teams have the history, star power, skills and temperament to succeed but only one will emerge winner tonight and enter the semifinal. Catch all the updates here. (Main preview | Full fixtures)
Both Germany and France have played good football even as fellow European teams gradually packed bags for an early flight back. While Germans peaked at the start - beating Portugal 4-0 - only to toil in the next few matches, France have risen steadily. (In pics: French, German players sweat it out in training session)
While France's play has not been awe-inspiring, the team has been more consistent. Against Germany, the Les Bleus also enjoy a 11-8 win ratio in their previous 25 international meetings. (Expect tough match against France, says German goalkeeper Neuer)
Karim Benzema will be the main man for the French and coach Didier Deschamps would be hoping for him to carry the side further away from memories of a shambolic 2010 World Cup. ("French players have rage inside them")
German coach Joachim Loew though is not too perturbed going into the quarterfinal match. He has already claimed that his side is yet to play its best football, saying that the laboured wins against USA and Alegria were because the opposition played well and not because the Germans were shoddy. (Read more here)
At this stage however, no excuse would be good enough and he would hope the likes of Thomas Mueller and Phillip Lahm can galvanise the side for an epic blitzkrieg. (No injury woes anymore for Germans)